Whether you're dusting off your winter bike or looking to winterise your one-and-only, Yorkshire's leading chain of bike stores, Chevin Cycles, gives us their top tips for a super-simple winter bike check and vamp-up. Follow the steps below:

 

Step 1: The M Check 

A simple M Check helps you identify any problem areas that may need replacing, repairing or requiring TLC from an expert mechanic at your local bike shop.

1. Front Wheel

• Spin the front wheel to check it turns smoothly and freely
• Wiggle the wheel from side to side to check for any excessive play
• Are the brake pads worn and need replacing, or check if the disc brakes need bleeding
• Check for any damage on the rims
• Do the tyres have enough tread or does it require a replacement
• Spin the front wheel and pull the front brake to check this is working correctly

2.  Headset

• Turn the handlebars. Are the bearings loose, rough or making a noice?
• Check the bolts in the handlebars for rust
• Make sure there isn’t any damage to the bar tape

3. Bottom Bracket

• Hold the crank and wiggle from side to side to check for excessive play
• Spin the cranks and check they move freely and the bearings aren’t loose, rough or making noice
• Spin the pedals to check they spin freely and there is no rust 

4. Saddle

• Check the saddle is in place tightly and also in the correct position
• If you are moving from summer to winter bike, check the measurements correlate between bikes (bottom bracket to saddle and saddle to head set). 

5. Rear Wheel

• Spin the rear wheel to check it turns smoothly and freely
• Wiggle the wheel from side to side to check for any excessive play
• Are the brake pads worn and need replacing, or check if the disc brakes need bleeding
• Check for any damage on the rims
• Do the tyres have enough tread or does it require a replacement
• Spin the rear wheel and pull the brake to check this is working correctly

6. Rear Derailleur

• Spin the cranks and click through the gears to check they are all working correctly
• Also check the front derailleur by clicking in and out of the big ring
• Check your chain and cassette for rust

Step 2: How to Winterise Your Bike

If you don’t have the luxury of a summer and winter bike, he’s some top tips to winterise your steed so you can keep riding all year round. 

1. Winter Tyres

Riding on wet, dirty roads requires a tyre with better tread and resilience to ensure you’re not stood in the cold fixing flat tyres all winter.

Check out the Continental Grand Prix 5000s 

2. Mudguards

Mudguards protect you from spray to keep you dry and also protects the riding buddies behind you. If your bike offers clearance for full mudguards that’s great news. However the new clip-on mudguards allows you to fit a guard to almost any bike.

Check out Raceblade mudguards

3. Lights

Not just for night riding, bike lights keep you visible on dull days. A front light is great for misty days or riding in the hills through thick fog. We suggest riding with a flashing rear light at all times in the winter months. 

Check out bike lights

 

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